Militants flee, constable held

Shillong, Aug. 18: Two alleged militants who were arrested by Assam police fled from a police lock-up in Meghalaya’s North Garo Hills district today, leading to the arrest of one police constable.

A’chik National Cooperative Army (ANCA) militants William A. Sangma and Jiten Lyngdoh were arrested by Assam police on Saturday from Agia along the Assam-Meghalaya border in Goalpara district.

Sangma, 27, who is also the self-styled “chairman” of the outfit, and Lyngdoh, 25, were apprehended along with a woman accomplice. The ANCA leader was hiding in Assam following flushout operations against insurgents in the Garo hills.

Following their arrests, Sangma and Lyngdoh were handed over to Meghalaya police in North Garo hills district yesterday. However, at 7.20am today, the accused managed to escape from the Mendipathar police station after the sentry on duty allegedly opened the lock-up door without taking necessary precautions.

“The two were handed over to us yesterday and had been in the Mendipathar police station, where interrogation was on. This morning the sentry on duty opened the lock-up door after which they managed to escape. Action is being taken against the constable for criminal conspiracy and he has been arrested,” a police official said.

The constable, belonging to the unarmed branch, has been identified as Jajeng Marak, police said. Moreover, the police official said normally precautions would have been taken and armed constables should have been there to guard the arrested persons. “They were hardcore criminals and all care should have been taken. We are yet to understand why he (the constable) opened the door without taking precautions,” the police official said.

The official said after they fled from the police station, Sangma and Lyngdoh immediately ran into a crowded locality of Mendipathar town before police could react. The police believed that the duo has escaped to Assam.

Earlier, police said the duo had confessed to their involvement in the abduction of Saumendu Chakraborty, who was kidnapped at gunpoint from Baro mile, near Tura in West Garo Hills last month. The outfit has been unleashing terror along Tura-Dalu route in West Garo Hills for the last two months and were involved in a series of kidnappings.